Pediatric parapharyngeal lesions: Criteria for malignancy |
| |
Authors: | Lobna El Fiky Tamer Shoukry Ossama Hamid |
| |
Institution: | 1. Ain Shams University, 48 Ibn El Nafees Street, 6th District, Madinet Nasr, 11371 Cairo, Egypt;2. Ain Shams University, 15 El Khalifa El Maamoun Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt;3. Ain Shams University, 50 El Hegaz Street, Heliopolis, Cairo, Egypt |
| |
Abstract: | IntroductionParapharyngeal space (PPS) pediatric lesions represent a heterogeneous group of uncommon neoplasms of both benign and malignant nature. These tumors tend to be locally advanced by the time they are diagnosed; consequently, an early presumptive diagnosis of malignancy is of utmost importance.ObjectiveTo highlight the occurrence of malignant PPS tumors in pediatric population, to determine their incidence and to describe probable warning clues for diagnosis.Patients and methodsThe charts of 23 pediatric patients with PPS swellings were retrospectively reviewed to analyze clinical and pathologic data. We describe possible criteria to suspect malignancy by clinical and radiological examination.ResultsTwenty-three patients presented with neoplastic lesions in the PPS, benign tumors in 43.5% and malignant in 56.5%. Malignancy was suspected in 13 cases according to combined clinical and radiological criteria: a painless intraoral and neck swelling in children below one year old, presentation with cranial nerve palsy, nasopharyngeal mucosal or sub-mucosal irregular lesion, the presence of multiple lymph nodes with no evidence of infection, and adjacent bony skull base destruction with intracranial extension.ConclusionOccurrence of malignancy in PPS tumors in the pediatric population is not uncommon. Clinicians should deliberately look for associated secondary signs that predict malignancy. The surgeon must understand the pathological spectrum of tumors of this space and the proper use of imaging studies to make a preoperative diagnosis. This allows for planning of a sound surgical approach and a proper preoperative counseling. |
| |
Keywords: | Parapharyngeal space tumors Pediatric head neck malignancy Neurogenic tumors Metastatic head neck tumors |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|